Cason Wallace has a “clear head” and is heading to the NBA playoffs against his hometown Dallas Mavericks

Some people are naturally impetuous. They convey a certain calm that almost makes you jealous while a million thoughts race through your head. Despite being a 20-year-old rookie, Cason Wallace is like that.

The best you can get out of him is a smile — maybe a laugh — before he spits out coaching-speak that Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault must hear ear-to-ear after every media scrum.

Wallace is so calculated earlier this season that he refused to reveal his favorite dish at the State Fair when the Oklahoma City media outlet called the entire court press to find out whether he liked corn dogs or funnel cakes.

So it was no surprise that the Kentucky product isn't bothered by the hometown matchup as we all work out these high-stakes storylines about Wallace's homecoming in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

“I come here with a clear head and a clear mindset. “I’m just going to go in there and win no matter where we are,” Wallace said as he faced his childhood team with a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line.

Game 1 on Tuesday will be the rookie's fifth game against the Mavericks this season, two so far at American Airlines Center before returning home on Saturday.

Against the Mavericks this season, Wallace averaged 11 points, three rebounds and one assist while recording three steals and two shots in four games for the Bricktown boys.

His scoring output against Dallas trails only his 11.5 points per game against Cleveland, the best of his young career.

It's nearly impossible to believe that the constant presence Wallace shows before a playoff series against his hometown team and the organization that traded him on draft night won't shower the rookie guard with emotion.

However, his play on the pitch suggests he is telling the truth as he deflects all the narratives thrown at him. That's part of the unusual maturity that Mark Daigneault continues to imbue Wallace and company with.

The rookie guard will be an important cog in the Thunder's rotation in Round 2. Not only will his defensive prowess be warranted against players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but he could also be called upon to close out games offensively.

While Wallace has shown some ability on the ball, his game-ending skills will be in demand against Dallas. On the year, the rookie shot 44 percent from the corners and 39 percent from three-pointers beyond the corner.

For the Thunder to advance to the Western Conference Finals, they need their hometown hero to play spoilsport.

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